Overall Trends
Total, fatal, and serious accidents in the selected range.
Premium research interface
The modern interface for aviation safety intelligence.
Search investigations, review source evidence, monitor watched reports, and trace long-term patterns from one calm, data-first workspace.
63k+
Reports indexed
1940-2026
Coverage
Recent
Last data refresh
Search everything
Fast key and full-text search with live filters, watches, and precise metadata.
Use quotes for exact phrase matches (for example "fuel selector valve").
Featured Report
Safety trends by operating rule
Track fatal and non-fatal accident patterns across Part 91, Part 135, and Part 121 operations.
Loading trend charts…
High-signal investigations
Major cases, deep-report coverage, and investigation media across decades of NTSB history.
Browse the aviation graph
Move quickly by aircraft, airport, operator, and time with indexes built for research, not wandering.
Last Data Update
By Decade
By Month
Aircraft Manufacturer
More manufacturersAirports
More airportsOperators
More operatorsAbout
Aviation safety reports, made easier to study
NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.
The goal is practical safety education: make it faster to find relevant investigations, compare similar events, review factual records, and understand the evidence behind probable-cause and preliminary reports.
The investigative work and source records belong to the National Transportation Safety Board and the published investigation record. This site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the NTSB.
FAQs
NTSB Report
October 5, 1993 · Piper PA-25-235 · N6862Z
Frankfort, MI
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 5, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Frankfort, MI
Aircraft
Piper PA-25-235
Tail Number
N6862Z
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA006
THE PILOT OF A GLIDER TOW PLANE DESCENDED FOR LANDING AT HOME FIELD. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL EXHAUSTION AND THE AIRPLANE LANDED SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.
NTSB Probable Cause
the pilot's failure to perform refueling.
Full Narrative
On October 5, 1993, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Piper PA-25-235 airplane, N6862Z, operated by Northwest Soaring Club experienced loss of engine power during descent and landed short of the runway at Frankfort, Michigan. The solo commercial pilot reported no injury. The airplane was substantially damaged. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the glider tow flight. The local flight originated about 1550 without a flight plan and operated under 14 CFR 91. The pilot reported the engine quit due to fuel exhaustion. No mechanical malfunction or failure was reported or found. When examined, the airplane contained less than a gallon of fuel and the fuel gage read empty. The pilot obtained a checkout in model the day before the accident.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 EDT
Nearest AirportFrankfort City-County (0nm SE)
Runway32
Runway Length3250 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPiper PA-25-235
Tail NumberN6862Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-540-A1D5 · Reciprocating · 250
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 25 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point57 / 28 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT